The rise of esports 电子竞技的热潮

There are many ways we can enjoy sport – watching it on TV or a smartphone, attending an event at a stadium or even playing the game. But for those who enjoy getting competitive with their computer gaming, there are realistic-looking games with lifelike graphics to be played without leaving home. It’s this type of sport – if that’s what we can call it – that has become big business. And interest in it has gone to a new level.

Initially, grabbing a joystick or controller and playing a game was a solitary activity. But around 20 years ago computers became cheaper and the internet became faster, which made it much easier for more people to get involved with computer gaming. This led to gamers connecting with each other around the world, so they could go head-to-head online. It also became a spectator sport, with people watching others play. The whole experience has been given the name ‘esports’ – electronic sports.

Now, huge esports tournaments take place all over the world in big arenas with large crowds. Die-hard enthusiasts, who have become first-rateplayers, are now well-known - some play together in teams. Its top stars can earn millions of dollars a year, without even breaking into a sweat! And fans from around the world tune in to watch the action online. The global audience is now estimated at more than 200 million and growing. Annual revenues from esports, currently around 650 million dollars for events, continue to rise with billions more generated through video games sales.

Famous football clubs are now trying to get in on the action. England’s Football Association for example launched its first esports team this year, known as the eLions. It recruited Fifa 19 players to represent them at the inaugural Fifa eNations Cup. Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief commercial and football development officer, said "The FA prides itself on being a modern, innovative organisation that strives to engage and inspire all generations of football fans."

But while this virtual version of football might give aspiring footballers a chance to get closer to the real game, some might argue the lack of physical activity means it shouldn’t be called a sport – and the biggest winners are the companies who promote and sell esports.

测验与练习

1. What is it about modern computer games that make them look so lifelike?

2. How did faster internet connections help develop the growth in esports?

3. In which ways, mentioned in the article, is money made from esports?

4. True or false? England’s FA has recruited Fifa 19 players for its football team.

5. Why might some people not call this type of gaming a sport?

2. 请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。

1. My son is very ______, he always plays cricket to win, not just for the fun of the game!

competition competing competitive competing

2. We hope you can make the ______ meeting of our book club – we hope it will become a regular event.

inaugural innovative solitary gamers

3. It’s very exciting – my football team are going ______ with the current champions. Let’s hope we beat them!

head-on-head heading head-to-head heads-to-heads

4. I am a ______ fan of the TV series Friends. I have all the DVDs and binge-watch them from time to time.

solitary virtual die-hard spectator

5. I started a band with my friends but now my girlfriend wants to ______ and be the lead singer!

get acting get off on the action go in on the action get in on the action

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What is it about modern computer games that make them look so lifelike?The lifelike graphics make many modern computer games look realistic.

2. How did faster internet connections help develop the growth in esports?Faster internet connections meant gamers could connect with each other around the world, so they could go head-to-head online.

3. In which ways, mentioned in the article, is money made from esports?Revenue (money) is made from hosting esports events and from selling video games.

4. True or false? England’s FA has recruited Fifa 19 players for its football team.False. England’s Football Association recruited Fifa 19 players to represent them at the inaugural Fifa eNations Cup – not a real football tournament!

5. Why might some people not call this type of gaming a sport?Some might argue the lack of physical activity means it’s shouldn’t be called a sport.

2. 请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。

1. My son is very competitive, he always plays cricket to win, not just for the fun of the game!

2. We hope you can make the inaugural meeting of our book club – we hope it will become a regular event.

3. It’s very exciting – my football team are going head-to-head with the current champions. Let’s hope we beat them!

4. I am a die-hard fan of the TV series Friends. I have all the DVDs and binge-watch them from time to time.

5. I started a band with my friends but now my girlfriend wants to get in on the action and be the lead singer!